Eversion apparatus and methods

Abstract

Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient comprises an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit harvested from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit end portion over itself when moved proximally away from the end of the conduit and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto. A method of everting a graft comprises positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom; introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from said support device; and moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.

1 . Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient using a device with multiple piercing members, said eversion apparatus comprising a handle coupled to an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit over itself when it is moved away from the conduit end portion and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto, wherein said handle defines a major longitudinal axis and further wherein said eversion apparatus is configured to provide a first state in which said loop shaped portion extends from said handle in a plane parallel with said major longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       2 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, said two ends being movable relative to said handle and portions of said flexible member being slidably mounted to said handle. 
   
   
       3 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, one of said ends being movable relative to said handle, the other one of said two ends being fixedly secured to said handle. 
   
   
       4 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, both of said ends being fixedly attached to said handle. 
   
   
       5 . The eversion apparatus of any one of  claims 2 - 4  wherein said flexible member comprises a pliable wire. 
   
   
       6 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped portion has an adjustable diameter. 
   
   
       7 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said overting member is bendable from said first state such that said eversion apparatus is configured to be transitionable to a second state in which said loop shaped portion extends from said handle in a plane forming an angle of about 90 degrees with said major longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       8 . A vessel eversion system for preparing a vessel for anastomosis in a human patient, said vessel eversion system comprising: a vessel support device having a proximal end and a distal end forming a plurality of piercing members; and an everting apparatus comprising an everting member, said everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into a portion of a vessel to be prepared for an anastomosis in a human patient and evert the portion of the vessel over said plurality of piercing members when said vessel is coupled to said support device with an end portion thereof extending from said distal end of said support device. 
   
   
       9 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 8  wherein said everting apparatus includes a handle and said everting member is coupled to said handle. 
   
   
       10 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, said two ends being movable relative to said handle and portions of said flexible member being slidably mounted to said handle. 
   
   
       11 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, one of said ends being movable relative to said handle, the other one of said two ends being fixedly secured to said handle. 
   
   
       12 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, both of said ends being fixedly attached to said handle. 
   
   
       13 . The vessel eversion system of any one of  claims 10 - 12  wherein said flexible member comprises a pliable wire. 
   
   
       14 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 8  wherein said loop shaped portion has an adjustable diameter.